title: Integrating actors into a simulation program: a primer.
abstract: We describe our more than 10 years' experience working with actors and provide a "how-to" guide to recruiting, auditioning, hiring, training, and mentoring actors for work as simulated patients in simulation programs. We contend that trained actors add great realism, richness, and depth to simulation-based training programs. The actors experience satisfaction from their contributions, and their skill and improvisational talent allow programs to offer ethical and relational training, customized to a wide range of practitioners and adapted across a variety of health care conversations. Such learning opportunities can directly address Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies in preparing capable, confident, and empathic health care practitioners.
authors.affiliation: From the Executive and Continuing Professional Education (B.E.O.), Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Medical School (R.C.P., P.H.W.); Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice (R.C.P., B.E.O., K.M.F., E.C.M.), Simulator Program (P.H.W.), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Pascucci
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Weinstock
authors.forename: Brigid E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Kristina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fancy
authors.forename: Elaine C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D008611:Mentors; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000458:organization & administration